Electrically-operated warning horn



Dec. 11, 1923. I

R. W. MAUDSLAY ELECTRICALLY OPERATED WARNING HORN Filed July 15, 1922 WVENTOK: GlNALO W MAUOSLAT Patented Dec. 11, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,411,375 PATENT OFFICE.

REGINALD WALTER IAUDSLAY, OI COVENTRY, ENGLAND. I

ELECTBTCALLY-OPEBATED WARNING HORN.

Application flied July 15, 1982. Serial No. 575,291.

To all whom it may concem-:

Be it known that I, REGINALD lVALrnR MAUnsLAY, a subject of the King of England, residing at Coventry, in the county of \Varwick, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elect rically-Operated Warning Horns, of which the following is a s cification.

This invention re ates to electrically operated warning horns, and it has for its ob- 'ect to provide a simple arrangement whereby the intensity of the sound produced is readil variable at will, so that, for example, w ien used upon a motor vehicle, a more subdued warnin can be given in a town than would usua ly be required in the open country.

According to this invention, a resistance is provided in the electrical circuit of the horn, in conjunction with a switch havin contact members so arranged and connected with the circuit that the closure of the switch acts first to include the aforesaid resistance, and thereafter, by a further onward movement of the switch member, to cut it out. A press switch preferably is employed and its operation is in conformity withthe result desired, that is to say, a light pressure will cause a moderate warning sound, and further and harder pressure of the switch will produce a louder sound.

In the accompanyin drawings,

Figure 1 represents ia ammatically one method of carrying out t e invention, and

F1gure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified preferred construction, of which Figures 3 and 4, to asmaller scale, are respectively a plan and an elevation of separate parts of the switch.

In the method of carrying out the inven tion illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1, the resistance A arranged in a compact form is mounted upon the base B of a press switch having a plunger C, and can readily be applied to an existing circuit. The contacts of the switch consist of three spring blades D, D and D upon which a metal plate or strip C carried by the push button C is adapted to be pressed by the user against the action of a spring, (not shewn in Figure 1).

Two of these contact blades D, D lie substantially in the same plane so that a comparatively small movement of the button C causes them to be brid ed by the metal plate C and the leads E, E to which they are respectively connected include the current source, the resistance A, and the horn. The

motion of the contact D with the circuit is at a osition E in the lead E which excludes t e resistance A, and thus, when the plate C carried by the press button makes contact with it, the resistance is cut out. It is desirable to notice that the plate C might, if desired, be in permanent electrical connection with either the lead D or D when the switch is in the inoperative state. I

It will thus be seen that the first .TIOVB- ment of the switch is adapted to result in a relatively subdued sound from the horn owing to the presence in the circuit of the resistance A, while further pressure upon the switch button will cut out the resistance and cause the horn to produce its full intensit of sound.

n the modified construction shewn in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the same lettering is employed todenote similar parts, the base B having holes B for securin it where desired. A central recess B is provided to contain the resistance A which latter is wound on a former A An insulating cap arranged in two layers F, F closes the recess and forms the contact-carrying memher and constitutes at F a clip for the ends of the leads E, E. A screw F extending from the underside of the base B through the centre of the former A engages the cap F, F and secures it in position. U on this cap F is mounted a spring blade which represents the contact D in Figure 1, and also screws G", G which secure the leads E and E and correspond respectively with the contacts D, D. The ends A, A of the resistance A are connected to the blade G and to the contact screw G.

A metal dome H encloses the contacts and has lugs H by which it is secured to the base B. A strip of metal G bent into Z form provides an electrical connection between the contact screw Gr and dome H to which it is secured at the lug H. Above the dome H is the button C carrying from a stem (l the metal late C and normally retracted by the sprin C. The plate C, through contact established with the dome K through the stem C and spring 0, is in theresistance A. Further pressure upon t garmanent connection with one of the leads (the possibility of which was pointed out earlier in the s ecification.)

The lower end 6 of the stem C which projects somewhat beyond the plate C is adapted to bear upon the spring blade contact G when the push button C is depressed and in this way the circuit is. closed throug'lh e button C deflects the blade G and causesthe plate C to bear on the contact G thus cutting out the resistance A, whereby the current to the horn is increased and a louder note accompanies the greater pressure and already exists.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:-

1. In an electric switch for use with a 2 warning horn, the combination of a press mamas adapted when the button is lightly pressed to include in the circuit said resistance, and a second pair of contacts adapted when the button is more firmly pressed to exclude said resistance from the circuit, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electric switch for use with a warning horn, the combination of a base carryin the switch mechanism, a resistance enclose within said base, resilient contact members upon said base, one set adapted to include said resistance within the circuit and the other set adapted to exclude it therefrom, and a switch-operating member adapted under light pressure to close the contacts including the said resistance within the circuit and thereafter, by a firmer pressure, to cut it out therefrom, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

REGINALD WALTER MAUDSLAY.

Witnesses:

Eva Comma, SARAH MAsoN. 

